Barcelona Coach Wants Premier League Target to Stay in Spain

The future of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has yet to be resolved. The 31-year-old Spanish international is contracted to the Catalan giants till 2014 but has already confirmed he will leave the Nou Camp for another club, either in the summer or next year, as a free agent.

Spanish newspaper Marca quotes Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova as saying he would welcome Valdes remaining at the club for one more year. However, if were to do so, then he will leave as a free agent next summer and that is something the board may not be happy about.

"I have no problem if he wants to continue next season. His conduct is quite impeccable," Vilanova explained on Friday, ahead of Sunday's La Liga game against Real Betis.

The Blaugrana No 1 is one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in world football and news of his availability alerted a number of top clubs in Europe, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool believed to be leading the race for his signature.

Arsene Wenger is believed to want Valdes to replace the Polish international duo of Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Fabianski, neither of whom have truly impressed this season.

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has another Spaniard between the sticks at Anfield - Pepe Reina - but speculation the Madrid-born No 1 is himself on the move suggested the Reds would move for Valdes if Reina left. There has also been interest in Valdes from Anzhi Makhachkala, with news they are prepared to offer him £160,000 per week to come to Russia.

Ultimately, it could all boil down to a merry-go-round situation, with Valdes, Reina and maybe even Real Madrid captain and legend Iker Casillas involved. The Santiago Bernabeu No 1 has long since lost the favour and even trust of coach José Mourinho and the stand-off between the club legend and the Special One will come to an end in the summer. And it will be a simple end - either Mourinho leaves or Casillas will.

All signs point to the bristly Portuguese tactician leaving Spain and returning to Chelsea on 1 July, meaning Casillas will remain in the Spanish capital. However, Mourinho has not yet confirmed his future and neither has club president Florentino Perez. If, through some miracle, the ex-Inter Milan boss does remain in Spain, then expect both Arsenal and Liverpool to be licking their lips at the prospect of choosing between Valdes and Casillas.